Made a little blunder today

By 9:15 today, I was headed out of Jojoba Hills and on my way to Lost Hills, CA.  At 246 miles, it was going to be a long driving day for me.  That really is about my self imposed limit.  Ha!  Little did I know what the day had in store for me.

Jack-in-the-Box had suggested a route for me that would take me right through the middle of Los Angeles and the ‘Grapevine’.  That was not something I was looking forward to.  So last night at happy hour, I asked the folks there for route suggestions.  One couple was native Californians, and they suggested I avoid that route at all cost.  They suggested a different route, and that was my plan.

Of course ‘Jack’ was recalculating like mad as I passed up the exit he wanted me to take.  I expected that, and had written out directions and taped them to the dash.  I-15 North to I-210 West to I-5 North.  Well, I drove and drove on I-15 and never did see an exit to I-210.  It must be there somewhere, but I never found it.  Sure would be nice to have a navigator looking at a map while I drive.  The traffic, by the way, was horrible.

After about 160 miles, I found myself at a gas station I could get into and out of in Barstow, CA.  I had been getting a little nervous about getting gas as the gage dipped down to the 1/4 tank level.  Couple of snafus at the station.  Ended up in a line with two people in front of me that seemed to take forever to move on.  Then after I finally filled up, someone else pulled in front of me so I couldn’t get out.  This guy shopped inside, and then came out and took his dog for a walk without moving his car out of the way.  Ugh!  Wasn’t fast enough to catch him to ask him to move his car.

Some construction along the way, and lots of mountains to go up and down.  There was also an annoying alarm sounding once in a while from my toad braking system.  The last time that happened, the breakaway cable had become slightly dislodged.  I couldn’t find a thing wrong with the hookup after checking it, so I continued on my way with that annoying alarm going off now and again.  Each time it started, my blood pressure jumped, I’m sure. 

After almost eight hours of driving, I finally arrived at Lost Hills RV Park.  (I wouldn’t call it a resort)  Hard packed sandy sites all in a row behind a truck stop.  It’s conveniently located right off of I-5, but the $48/night price tag is way overpriced to my way of thinking.  (and not worth taking a picture of)

After 312 rather grueling miles, for me, I bit the bullet and paid the piper.  As I came down out of the mountains on route 58 today, the view of the central California valley with all the orchards and croplands was spectacular, but of course there was no place to stop to enjoy the view.

Tomorrow will be a shorter jaunt of only about 200 miles (I hope), and I’m going to stop for a two night stay.  I’ll be south of Sacramento.  If Gypsy weren’t off gallivanting in New York, I would stop by to see her…

Thanks for stopping by… talk to you later,  Judy